Vancouver/Seattle/Victoria Trip....Can't believe the endless travel

[Frank M]

Hey everyone,

As of right now I am planning on playing 4 rounds. The problem and real disappointment is that I won't be able to play Chamber's Bay as I will be in Seattle during my first week and that is the exact week the Am is there. Also, I won't be taking the drive up to Whistler so any courses there are also out of the question.

As always all comments and suggestions are very much appreciated!

[Matt Bosela]

Hey everyone,

This is now my third "where to play" thread. Sorry if I'm bothering anyone with them, but I've been getting news of a bunch of unexpected trips over the last couple of weeks and well....I'm not complaining truthfully.

My last post was for Chicago in early August, but that trip may fall through. However, Boston in October is for sure and so is...as of today...Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria for the last two weeks of August.

As of right now I am only planning on playing 4 rounds. The problem and real disappointment is that I won't be able to play Chamber's Bay as I will be in Seattle during my first week and that is the exact week the Am is there. Also I won't be taking the drive up to Whistler so any courses there are also out of the question.

At this moment, my rota looks something like this:

Victoria Golf Club and Royal Colwood on the Island

Westwood Plateau and Northlands in Vancouver proper.

I'm going to stick with the two on the island for sure, but I am open to suggestions regarding any courses in Vancouver or possible tracks in the Seattle area worth substituting/checking out.

As always all comments and suggestions are very much appreciated!

Frank,

You can't go wrong with Victoria and Colwood on the Island.  Definitely the two top options there.

Do you plan on being back in BC at any point in the near future?  If the answer is no, I cancel the two Vancouver options and make plans to drive three hours from Vancouver to Sagebrush.  It's private but they are accepting some limited outside play by invitation and you may not get the chance to play this course in a few years if it becomes completely private.  Spend the night at the Quilchena Ranch or in Merritt and spend at least one full day, perhaps two at Sagebrush, with 36+ holes a day.

Most fun you'll ever have...trust me.

[Ryan Admussen]

Unless you can get access to Capilano or Shaughnessy, take Matts sugesstion and drive to Sagebrush

[Bill_McBride]

I was successful having my club's general manager call Capilano and arrange for me to play there.  It's a wonderful course.

[Will MacEwen]

On the public side, I would consider Fraserview, University and Point Roberts over Westwood. 

[Frank M]

The problem with the Sagebrush idea is that I only have one day while in Vancouver where I will be able to leave the event I am attending for a full day. That means I would have to make the 3 hour drive there and return in one day (6hours). I'm not so much against that but the other problem is that according to the website, the "1 day experience" or access to the course for one day is based on a foursome and of course I will be golfing alone.

Maybe I will contact them and see what they say.

[Bob Jenkins]

Frank,

As a Vancouver area resident, I agree with all of the suggestions from the others above.

Royal Colwood and Victoria are clearly the two best in Victoria, are very different, walkable and fun.

I agree that Westwood Plateau and Northlands would not be at the top of the list in Vancouver as far as public courses go. Will is correct in that Fraserview (a Vancouver muni) and UBC Golf course would be ahead on most lists. Point Roberts is just across the line in the US and is good but not great. Another on the south end of town that is a lot of fun is Peace Portal. It is right at the border near the Blaine / Peace Arch crossing. The other worthy of consideration is the Ridge course at Northview in Surrey which was the home of the Air Canada Championship for 7-8 years on the tour. Palmer design.

Bill M is also correct re any chance to play Capilano. The other private courses of particular note would be Shaughnessy and Vancouver Golf Club in particular.  

And Sagebrush is. as Matt says, as much fun as you can have on a quality golf course. Just spent the weekend there and it is a real treat.

Good luck,

Bob Jenkins

[Richard Choi]

The only must play public in Seattle are Chambers Bay and Gold Mountain Olympic. It is really too bad that you can't play CB as the conditions will be ideal for US Am and if you came a week later you would have seen it firsthand. I will be marshalling at US Am, but do let me know when you are in town and I will be happy to show around.

[Sean Leary]

The only must play public in Seattle are Chambers Bay and Gold Mountain Olympic. It is really too bad that you can't play CB as the conditions will be ideal for US Am and if you came a week later you would have seen it firsthand. I will be marshalling at US Am, but do let me know when you are in town and I will be happy to show around.

Handing out brush tees to the competitors, I presume?

[Wyatt Halliday]

The only must play public in Seattle are Chambers Bay and Gold Mountain Olympic. It is really too bad that you can't play CB as the conditions will be ideal for US Am and if you came a week later you would have seen it firsthand. I will be marshalling at US Am, but do let me know when you are in town and I will be happy to show around.

You really can't help yourself can you?

[Richard Choi]

CB is my mistress/drug... I can't quit you!

[Frank M]

unfortunately Victoria and Colwood both have club champs on the dates I was hoping to play.

As of right now I have Bear Mountain and Sagebrush for sure,

Debating between Frasirview and Westood Plateau however 

[Will MacEwen]

In Victoria you could try Highland Pacific, which is new, or Cordova Bay. I say Fraserview or University over Westwood. Mt. Seymour in North Van also allows some outside play.

[Dan Herrmann]

Or, while in Victoria, take a day off from golf and go whale watching.  Those Orcas are amazing to see in person!

Trust me, you'll never forget it if you go.

[Gary Slatter]

Make arrangements to play Capilano in Vancouver.  All private clubs in BC accept outside play when arranged in advance.
Victoria GC with its Jeff Mingay fixes is superb and Royal Colwood is also special.  Save Sagebrush for your return visit.
Enjoy, I'll be making similar trip in September.

[Bob Jenkins]

Frank,

I do not know many people who are fans of Westwood Plateau. I have played it once and have not returned. Too many houses and rooftops, too many "contrived" holes, poor drainage. It was just no fun at all. Feel free to email me and maybe we can work out something in town. Fraserview, a City of Vancouver muni, is good, Northview (Ridge) in Surrey is good and a few others.

Garry. Likewise, I will be going back up to Sagebrush in September as often as possible so maybe we can get together. I love your Moe Norman stories.